Blake
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Blake was at a family dinner when they experienced stomach pains. After a few hours the pain became so intense Blake was admitted to hospital. A severe bowel blockage required an emergency life-saving operation that lasted nine hours.
Blake now has short bowel syndrome. They can no longer eat solid food, are regularly admitted to hospital and their life is compromised by the condition.
‘Besides frequent pain, one of the major aspects of this condition is that I have to constantly use the toilet … Some days it might be 20–30 times,’ Blake said.
Blake’s submission outlined their difficulties getting approval for the Disability Support Pension (DSP).
Sometime after the operation Blake returned to their job at the local high school. The school ‘was really helpful’ and moved Blake’s office next to the toilet.
‘I tried to work but it was impossible. I was in severe pain. I couldn’t be in a classroom because I always had to use a toilet.’
After several months of being unable to work Blake applied for the DSP.
The colorectal surgeon and GP provided supporting evidence that Blake’s condition was permanent.
Blake was asked to attend a job capacity assessment but then, with little warning, the appointment was cancelled.
A couple of weeks later Blake’s claim was rejected.
‘I was very surprised that I did not meet the DSP criteria. My GP was very frustrated because he had written several detailed letters about the extreme situation that I was in.’
Blake appealed the decision and was contacted by an authorised review officer. The officer explained Blake did not meet the criteria because ‘there was still treatment available’.
Blake was confused because the doctors’ letters clearly stated there was no treatment and Blake wouldn’t survive another surgery.
The officer disagreed and the decision was upheld.
Blake engaged a disability advocate and complained to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
During this process, Blake learnt that Centrelink had assessed the medical evidence internally and concluded that because Blake lives on a liquid diet, they were still being ‘treated’ for the condition. Centrelink was not satisfied Blake’s condition was permanent.
‘The truth is that a liquid diet was never going to improve my condition – it is an essential part of managing my condition for the rest of my life.’
The tribunal found Centrelink had erred in making its decision and granted Blake the DSP.
‘I believe that my experience shows that people living with very serious disabilities, verified by substantive medical evidence, can be completely neglected by Centrelink in its assessment and internal review processes. Centrelink workers seem so focused on finding a reason to reject a DSP application that all other medical evidence is overlooked.’
Blake would like Centrelink to reintroduce in-house social workers to speak to people during the application process.
‘Centrelink’s decisions affect real people. The rejection and appeals process that I went through for over a year was quite stressful for my family and me.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.